Life in the fast lane: Olentangy Liberty senior Seth Lucas embraces sports car racing
Seth Lucas and his father swear this wasn’t some kind of grand plan or overarching destiny.
Considering that Chris Lucas once was an IndyCar crew chief, raced himself and now owns three auto dealerships, it would be understandable to figure his son, a senior at Olentangy Liberty, would end up on a similar path.
A few years ago, it seemed an impossibility, even if temporarily.
“We went go-karting one day, I remember spinning out and it terrified me,” Seth Lucas said. “I went home and (said) ‘I’m never racing go-karts again. I’m done racing.’ Luckily I changed my mind on that.
“Four years later, I’m in Dubai doing 160 (mph).”
Whereas many of his friends spend their summer days playing video games or partaking in any number of other recreational activities, the Powell resident spends much of his time at the 16,000-square-foot headquarters of MDK Motorsports in Etna — about 15 miles east of downtown Columbus in southwest Licking County — strategizing for his next sports car race, learning the business side of racing and simply spending time around cars.
“My whole life is really about cars,” Lucas said. “I go to car meets and car shows all the time. But still being 17, I want to enjoy this part of my life.”
'Level head' helped 17-year-old Seth Lucas make immediate impact
Lucas began his racing career at age 12 in go-karts competing in the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour and United States Pro Kart Series. He switched to sports cars in 2020 and has one win under his belt, in the 2022 Indianapolis 8 Hours in October at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
He was named GT America Rookie of the Year, and as part of the Fanatec GT World Challenge America this season is teamed with co-driver Trenton Estep.
In their first year driving a Porsche, the duo’s year has been highlighted by a second-place finish in the GT3 Pro-Am at the Dubai 24 hours in January and two third-place finishes during the Circuit of the Americas in May in Austin, Texas.
“He can handle the car and be fast, but the maturity level is huge,” said Chris Lucas, who is his son’s manager. “Some younger kids do get into it, but they’re tearing up equipment and making poor judgment calls. With Seth, he seems to have a very level head. He deals with things as a 30-year-old might.”
Estep, 23, originally is from San Antonio but relocated to Columbus last year to be closer to the team’s operation. He and Lucas typically alternate driving in 45- to 50-minute increments during races.
“(Lucas) is really eager to learn; he has great car control,” Estep told SportsCar365.com earlier this year. “I was in his position not too long ago so I can relate to him in a lot of ways. I think us being kind of close in the age gap will help us bond throughout the year as well. …
“It’s only our second year but we have some great resources behind us and some great knowledge.”
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Lucas attributed their success to a cautious approach — at least as cautious as drivers can be at triple digits. A source of pride is not having caused a crash to date, although the car was involved in one earlier this year. There were no injuries.
“I can go fast, but I can keep the car in one piece,” Lucas said. “By keeping the car safe, the car will help us in the long run.”
Lucas and Estep return to action Aug. 4-6 with the IMSA SportsCar Weekend in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.
Bigger things await Olentangy Liberty senior Seth Lucas
An unprecedented if not momentous year could await Lucas.
Scheduled to graduate high school in November, Lucas will take two remaining courses in English and math through Oasis, an Olentangy district program that according to its website serves students who “for whatever reason do not fit the typical student or do not do well in a traditional school setting.”
Lucas will compete in the five-race Asian LeMans series in January and 24 Hours of Daytona in February. His 18th birthday is Jan. 12.
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A simulator at MDK Motorsports, which is owned by venture capitalist Mark Kvamme, helps Lucas and Estep visualize and otherwise prepare for each course on which they will compete. Lucas has another such device at home.
“It is (invaluable),” he said. “It really helps with your visual points. The main reason I use it is to learn a track, but also to learn my lines and what gear to be in. I can learn the fastest line through a certain corner and re-do it a bunch of times. I don’t have to learn it all right then once we get to the track.”
Lucas will throw out the first pitch at the Clippers’ July 29 game against Omaha at Huntington Park. His car will be on display at the center-field entrance.
Maybe after all of that, Lucas will take a second to pinch himself. But not yet.
“All of this, it really hits me when I’m on the way (to a race) or on the way back,” he said. “On the track, it’s my job and I have to focus.”
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Life in the fast lane: Ohio teenager embraces sports car racing
